TRULY

Easter, with the emphasis of eggs bearing new life, and newborn lambs, (and even the symbolic abundance of bunnies) has passed.

I cannot let it finish until I share my own abundance - the feast of hearing prophets and apostles teach the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ - and  hearing truths taught by leaders who love Jesus and testify of His truths. 

In April General Conference 1, Elder Thierry K. Mutombo of the Seventy 2  shared that “In some parts of the world, people use a unique and special way of exchanging greetings on Easter morning. The paschal greeting, also known as the Easter acclamation or Easter Day greeting, is a custom among many Christians.

“The greeter says, ‘Christ is risen.’

“The other person responds, ‘Truly, He is risen.’”

Elder Mutombo 3 then described a time of dark despair in his life. I have faced days of despairing darkness, feeling without hope – and completely helpless.

I add my own witness to that of Elder Mutombo. “Christ is risen.”

I can not reiterate this truth more succinctly than Elder Mutombo: “During this mortal life, each of us will face our own dark days, times when things are not going as hoped. …

“Sometimes things do not work out in mortality as we hope, and sometimes we need the faith in Jesus Christ that all will work out in the end. 4…

“When you face this darkness of sorrow, please remember that dark day when Jesus Christ was humiliated, bruised, abused, reviled, and lifted on the cross … .

“That day was filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored Jesus Christ. But the doom of that day did not last forever. The despair did not linger because, on Sunday, the resurrected Savior overcame the bonds of death. So no matter how dark your days are, please remember that Sunday will come … .”

I witness THAT Sunday did come! It came with hope, mercy and grace. When we turn to even glance upon the Savior, even as Moses begged his people to do when they were dying from the poison of ‘fiery serpents’ – to behold the serpent raised 5 upon that symbolic pole – to truly turn our minds and prayers to Jesus Christ, then – truly – we too can be raised out of the darkest days of despair.

Elder Mutombo continued his own witness: “Our Heavenly Father’s plan for us is happiness now and joy forever in His presence. He gives us laws and commandments and makes covenants with us to bless us. His desire, purpose, and glory are to have us return to Him … worthy of an eternity of joy in His presence.

“We know the adversary’s goal. He seeks for all to ‘be miserable like unto himself.’6… He is committed to our destruction. Satan’s program is often described as “play now and pay later.” He also tries to teach that there are never any consequences or accountability for our actions.”

I choose to focus this blog on the plan of a loving Father in Heaven for happiness and genuine lasting joy.

Although mortals, such as I am, eventually experience death (our own or that of others) we will rise from the grave to live as immortal beings without unfair misfortunes, without distress, woe, or sufferings.

Elder Mutombo reminds: “The Savior Jesus Christ confirmed the divine purpose of His Atonement, saying: ‘If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life.7 Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.’8

"‘Come unto me’ is a divine invitation which means wherever you are now or whatever you are going through in your life, you can feel God’s infinite love manifested through His Son, Jesus Christ."

Truly, He lives.

1. General Conference 2026

2. Quorum of the Seventy 

3. Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, 'The Joy of a Covenant Relationship With God,'  

4. David A. Bednar, ‘Ask in Faith’ 

5. Numbers 21:6-9 

6. 2 Nephi 2:27 

7. 3 Nephi 9:14 

8. 3 Nephi 9:17

THE BOX BEHIND THE CHAIR

General Conference talks were inspirational. One of my personal favorites was by Dale G. Renlund.1 He told a story about their family’s tiny, black dog – a toy poodle named Lady.

He shared, “Lady was smart, energetic, and great at fetching a ball. She was willing to retrieve a ball anytime, anyplace, and for as long as anyone was willing to throw one.”

He explained how one day he threw 2 balls, a blue one and a yellow one. His story about the result provided a bit of a parallel to some of our experiences as we prepared for this mission, and felt like too many things demanded our attention too often, and for too much time. It seemed exhausting and a little overwhelming. And even now, there constantly seem many things demanding our attention - more things than humanly possible to accomplish within the time constraints available. 

We stored the majority of our possesions, and brought some things we knew we use regularly.

Elder Ames tells it this way:

Well, we thought we brought everything we would ever need; BUT once all the boxes were empty and put away, we started making lists.  Then we took those lists and went shopping.  We were missing basics like our salt shaker and pepper grinder – we brought the pepper corns but no grinder!  We went and bought the smallest can of pepper.  We needed a mandoline to prepare vegetables.  Surely there had been enough room in one of those boxes for a mandoline!

While we did not find all the list items, we did purchase a mandoline, and several other essentials. We unsuccessfully shopped many times for a good can opener. Although our apartment is furnished nicely the can opener had chips in a partially bent blade.

In truth we hadn’t yet found a can opener which would meet our standards when one evening Sister Ames asked me what was in the box behind the chair.  I responded knowingly that it was just another box of videos. (VHS tapes to digitize at no cost at the FamilySearch center, in our ‘spare’ time. We brought too many of those!)

However, I stopped whatever it was that I was doing and went and opened the box.  It was not videos. 

Right near the top was our super useful can opener. We also found the salt shaker and pepper grinder (we hadn’t bought one of those because the ones we found cost a lot and that’s a lot of pepper).  We found our mixer and all its attachments (that had not made it onto our shopping list yet.)  There were two turn tables of stuff everyone needs in the kitchen, and we now have two mandolines - we will probably use the old one.  We had purchased a mini muffin pan, that Sister Ames was already missing, and now have 3 - there were 2 in the box. 

Sometimes when I’m counting the blessings I ask the Lord to show me the ones I am missing – the blessings I have that I don’t even know that I have - like that box.  It had been sitting behind the chair for three weeks full of stuff that we needed, or need, or will need.  Now, I look around to see what I might see and think about each thing and about how it might be a blessing. 

I wonder if there are other missing boxes - boxes which I need to open.”

Elder Renlund sympathized: “I cannot add more time to your days or eliminate the many concerns modern life brings. But I can offer this counsel: Not all matters are of equal value, …2” and he then suggested the teachings of scriptures and prophets.

Our late prophet, “President Russell M. Nelson taught, ‘Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.’3

“And President Dallin H. Oaks, the Lord’s living prophet today, simply declared, ‘Jesus Christ is the way.’4

Elder Renlund continued: “You need not be like our little dog, Lady—confused, discouraged, and overwhelmed—when facing too many balls; you do not need to crawl back to bed and cower. Instead, keep your eye on the ball.5 Focus on the Savior. Seek for the 'precious gifts His Atonement can impart.' Then you can joyfully and confidently sing with the children:

‘I will trust in Jesus. I will hear His call.

He will never leave me, even when I fall.

Jesus gives me power, lifts and comforts me,

Helping me to live and grow eternally.’6

"Because Jesus Christ completed the Atonement, He has the power to help you along your earthly journey and to redeem you from death, both physical and spiritual. Celebrate the joyous message of Easter every day by reflecting every day on the blessings you receive because of Him.7 ‘Open wide your broken heart and let your Savior in!’”8

1.  Dale G. Renlund, "Because of Jesus Christ"

2. Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best,” Liahona, Nov. 2007, 104–8.

3. Russell M. Nelson, “The Answer Is Always Jesus Christ,” Liahona, May 2023, 127.

4. “‘Jesus Christ Is the Way,’ President Oaks Says in First Interview as Church President,” Church News, Oct. 16, 2025, thechurchnews.com.

5. "In the late 1800s, the phrase “keep your eye on the ball” was literal advice to players of sports like baseball and cricket; to hit successfully, the players had to watch the ball closely as it approached. The phrase later transitioned into a figurative use, warning people to stay focused and not to lose sight of their primary goal. This idiomatic usage has been common in English for over a century."

6. “I Will Walk with Jesus,” Hymns for Home and Church, Gospel Library.

7. Dallin H. Oaks, “What Has Our Savior Done for Us?,” Liahona, May 2021, 75–77.

8. “Behold the Wounds in Jesus’ Hands,” Hymns for Home and Church, Gospel Library.